|
Yamaha XV1900 Road Test |
 vote 8167
 |
|
At 725 pounds and 89bhp, it's a lot of scooter..
The overriding characteristic of the huge V-twin is the honkingly massive amount of torque available. A peak of 115[ftlb] come in at a barely-above tickover 2500rpm. This makes the bike exceptionally fast off the line with no rider effort. Big V-twins are never silky smooth but it’s better than most. It’s a high tech engine, not simply a bored out antique. read more...
| | |
| | |
| |
|
| | permapage | -Ray, March 12, 2007 |
|
2007 Harley XL 1200N Nightster |
 vote 7329
 |
|
Who needs a tach when you have plenty of torque and a gear -- any gear...
The Nightster isn't exactly light at a claimed 545lb dry weight (claimed 565lbs ready-to-run), but the center of gravity is fairly low, and this combines with the wide bars to make aggressive riding easy, even at around-town speeds. Out of all the cruisers I've ridden, the Nightster would be high on my list if my plans involved a lot of city riding - it's almost like a (really low) standard in terms of how it attacks city traffic. Just be careful of those wide bars while splitting lanes! read more... |
|
| | mail this link | permapage | -Ray, March 15, 2007 |
|
2007 Harley FXDSE Screamin Eagle Dyna |
 vote 7327
 |
|
That's 1.8 liters in automobile metric terminology...
To create the biggest of the big, Twin Cam 96 crankcases are machined to accept a pair of big-bore cylinders. Inside, 4.0-inch pistons move through the same 4.4-inch stroke employed in the TC96. But because bigger, heavier pistons would net more vibration along with more power, the 110’s forged slugs are light. Reciprocating mass is essentially the same as in the smaller-bore 96, so both engines use the same crankshaft, flywheel and anti-vibe hardware. read more... |
|
| | mail this link | permapage | -Ray, March 20, 2007 |
|
Neander 1400 Diesel Motorcycle |
 vote 7272
 |
|
Double overhead cams, counter-balanced, turbocharged, 94 bhp, 150 MPH, and more torque than my 3-cylinder diesel tractor...
...the incredible diesel device I found waiting for me to ride in the Bavarian countryside south of Munich, masquerading at a swift glance as an American-style cruiser with a big parallel-twin motor that could easily resemble Triumph's forthcoming 1500cc custom, is a bike literally unlike any other, and not only because of its choice of fuel. read more... |
|
| | permapage | -Ray, March 16, 2007 |
|
Road test: 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 |
 vote 6375
 |
|
Another look at Kawasaki's big V-Twin Vulcan 2000...
Visually, the motor is just as stunning, taking up a large amount of real estate in between the massive steel frame rails. And, the first thing that strikes the eye, after the huge attractive air cleaner cover, is the chrome pushrod tubes that actually contain pushrods. “To allow for a lower engine height” is the official reason, in an effort to maintain a lower centre of gravity and a lower seat height. Makes sense, but I couldn’t help wondering how much of the decision was style-driven based on a certain other popular V-twin’s method of valve actuation. read more... |
|
| | mail this link | permapage | -Ray, May 3, 2004 |
|
Harley Davidson Screamin Eagle Road King Test |
 vote 6370
 |
|
103 Cubic Inch Torque Monster...
If bigger really is better, you're looking at the best off-the-rack Harley-Davidson in captivity. Known as the FLHRSEI2 in Milwaukeese, its 98.4mm x 111.1mm cylinders add up to 103 cubic inches or 1690cc--the biggest factory-built Harley Big Twin yet. Except it's not exactly stock. Created as part of Harley's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) program, the Screamin' Eagle Road King is a limited-production, expensive piece: $27,995 ($28,095 in California) vs. $16,215 for a basic 2002 Road King. The CVO ensemble is also a painless way for Harley to run new ideas up the flagpole of public opinion and see how many checkbooks salute. read more... |
|
| | mail this link | permapage | -Ray, March 11, 2004 |
|
LS 650: Suzuki Savage Overview |
 vote 6104
 |
|
If you are less than 5'10" and like street thumpers, this is one of the few still being made.
The Savage does not feel as refined as some of the v-twins available out there, but to me that's part of it's appeal. There is a pronounced flywheel effect that gives the [Suzuki] an unmistakable charm (as a friend on the 'net recently put it, "you can actually *feel* the pull of each power stroke when taking a slow turn in third gear, and then just gradually roll on the power"). And there is a level of omnipresent vibration at all revs (not annoying, except perhaps on high-mileage excursions) that reminds you you're sitting on a motorcycle. read more... |
|
| | mail this link | permapage | -Ray, March 7, 2004 (Updated: April 11, 2004) |
|
2006 Harley Davidson Motorcycle Lineup |
 vote 6080
 |
|
The VRXSE Screamin' Eagle Destroyer is also pretty interesting...
The FXDBI Street Bob is stripped-down, single-seat version of the Dyna, with the minimalist style that you might see in a stripped-down homebuilt custom. Styling highlights include a 29-degree steering head and fork angle, "Mini ape-hanger" handlebar, speedo set on the Fat Bob fuel tank, a new wrap-around rear fender over a 160mm rear tire, wire-spoke wheels, mid-mouint footpegs and congtrols, Street Bob air cleaner trim ring, special tank emblems, and a wrinkle-black finish on the console, belt guard, and battery cover, which has polished trim. Fuel-injection is standard. read more... |
|
| | mail this link | permapage | -Ray, July 26, 2005 |
Articles are owned by their authors. The rest is © 2004-2009, Ray Yeargin. -r00t [ at ] [thisdomain]
| |